Counseling center hosts laugh event
In celebration of National Foster Care Awareness Month, Counseling4Kids hosted an event for 200 foster children and their families at Flappers Comedy Club in Downtown Burbank.
This was an outreach event for clients and families of Counseling4Kids, officials said. The event was inspired by healing through laughter and celebrated those who make a difference in the lives of Los Angeles County foster children by serving as foster parents, relative caregivers, advocates, volunteers and the children themselves.
The event was free for all guests with the help of sponsors such as Allegory Photography, U.S. Bank, Burbank Sunrise Kiwanis, Super Shuttle, City National Bank and Burbank Sunrise Rotary. The day’s agenda included a red carpet walk, buffet lunch, family comedy show and goodie bags.
Counseling4Kids is a nonprofit organization that provides effective mental health services to abused and neglected children and youth in the foster care system throughout Los Angeles County. For more information, visit www.counseing4kids.org.
Children raise funds for earthquake relief
The students and parents of youngsters enrolled at Fun & Fit Gymnastics centers in Burbank, Simi Valley and Santa Clarita rolled up their sleeves and opened their wallets to raise $4,000 for the American Red Cross’ efforts to assist the victims of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan.
Students as young as 12 months old performed rolls down soft incline mats while older kids and teens performed cartwheels and other tumbling skills and asked sponsors to donate for each skill performed.
“I wanted to provide the kids an opportunity to help others in need,” said Jeff Lulla, president of Fun & Fit Gymnastics. “In the past we have supported the Children’s Miracle Network, and following Hurricane Katrina, we raised thousands for the Red Cross to support flood victims in New Orleans. It feels wonderful to know that we can help make a difference.”
Girls Scouts donate blankets to babies
Glendale Girl Scout Troop 221 delivered blankets to the maternity ward at Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center’s maternity ward as part of the Girl Scout Bronze Award.
Blanca Valenzuela and her son, James, met the members of Troop 221 along with employee Kristin Anderson and registered nurse Cathy Ragasa, who hosted the tour.
Burbank YMCA names board members
The Burbank Community YMCA announced four new board members at large during its annual luncheon meeting at Woodbury University. The new board members are Ryan Kugler, of Distribution Video and Audio; Donn Rediger, of Rediger Investments; Alyson Westfall; and Judie Wilke, director of management services for the city of Burbank.
The Bob Hope Airport was recognized as the Y’s 2011 Community Partner of the Year.
Board Chair Don St. Clair welcomed the guests and then the YMCA’s Volunteers of the Year were recognized. They included the Family of the Year, Chris Lopez, Amber Newman and daughter Winter; Member of the Year, Ray de Leon, and Student Member of the Year William Stone. Also honored was Bret Ulrich, winner of the Frank Sakata Volunteer of the Year award.
Vic Georgino, former board chairman from 2005-2008, was named the first Board Emeritus recipient. This award is for his significant service and contribution of time, influence and meaningful leadership while serving on the Y’s board of directors.
CEO JC Holt spoke of the importance of volunteerism, saying, “The health and substance of the Y depends members giving back.” He went on to add that the Y’s Annual Meeting is a celebration and a salute to all of the Y’s volunteers.
Residents support golf classic
Participants in Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services’ 2011 “Shot-at-a-Million” Golf Classic made a difference for children in need by raising $175,000. Proceeds will help fund educational and therapeutic-treatment programs for the youngsters served by Hathaway-Sycamores, a provider of children’s mental-health services in Los Angeles County.
The annual event was held on May 20 at the Jack Nicholas-designed Angeles National Golf Course in Sunland. Residents attending were longtime Hathaway-Sycamores supporters Kathy and Tim MacDonald of La Crescenta and Margot Simpson of La Cañada Flintridge.
More than 250 people took part in this year’s event, including 120 golfers who hit the greens for a good cause, raising money by participating in the “Longest Day of Golf” or the “Nine-Hole Team Scramble.” Ten golfers qualified to take a swing at a hole-in-one and instantly become a millionaire, but no one made the 165-yard shot. The event concluded with a 19th Hole after-party that was emceed by KISS-FM traffic reporter Chuck Street. In addition to catered refreshments and a silent auction, numerous prizes were raffled, with three lucky guests winning trips for two to Costa Rica, Maui and New York.